Fitting for channel framing

ABSTRACT

A fitting for use with channel framing including an outer surface and a fitting groove formed in the outer surface includes a base comprising an inner face, an outer face, and sides extending between the inner face and outer face. The base is configured for insertion into the fitting groove of the channel framing. A spring member is mounted on the base and disposed generally above the outer face of the base. The spring member is configured to engage the outer surface of the channel framing when the base is inserted into the fitting groove. The base and the spring member form a clamp for securing the fitting in the fitting groove.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to channel framing with atleast one additional side that is functional, and a fitting for use withthe additional functional side of the channel framing.

BACKGROUND

One type of channel framing is called strut channel, which is used inthe construction and electrical industries for structural support, oftenfor supporting wiring, plumbing, or mechanical components such as airconditioning or ventilation systems. Strut channel is usually formedfrom metal sheet, folded over into an open channel shape withinwards-curving lips to provide additional stiffness and as a locationto mount interconnecting components. The side of the strut channelopposite the open channel usually has holes of some sort in the base, tofacilitate interconnection or fastening the strut to underlying buildingstructures. The other sides (e.g., left and right sides) typically donot have any functionality. Thus, the strut channel really has only oneside for mounting components on the strut.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a fitting for use with channel framing including an outersurface and a fitting groove formed in the outer surface generallycomprises a base comprising an inner face, an outer face, and sidesextending between the inner face and outer face. The base is configuredfor insertion into the fitting groove of the channel framing. A springmember is mounted on the base and disposed generally above the outerface of the base. The spring member is configured to engage the outersurface of the channel framing when the base is inserted into thefitting groove. The base and the spring member form a clamp for securingthe fitting in the fitting groove.

In another aspect, a method of securing a fitting to a channel framingincluding an outer surface and a fitting groove formed in the outersurface generally comprises inserting a base of the fitting into thefitting groove along a longitudinal axis of the fitting. The fitting isrotated in the fitting groove to dispose ends of the base generally atsides of the fitting groove and to dispose at least a portion of aspring member of the fitting above the outer surface of the fittinggroove to engage the outer surface. The base and the spring member forma clamp for securing the fitting in the fitting groove.

In still another aspect, a channel framing assembly generally comprisesan elongate body having a longitudinal axis and defining an interiorextending along the longitudinal axis. The body comprises a sideincluding an outer surface and a fitting groove formed in the outersurface and extending lengthwise of the body. A fitting is configuredfor being retained to the fitting groove. The fitting comprises a baseconfigured for insertion into the fitting groove. A spring member ismounted on the base and configured to engage the outer surface of thebody when the base is inserted into the fitting groove. The base and thespring member form a clamp for securing the fitting to the fittinggroove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a channel framing;

FIG. 1A is a perspective of another embodiment of a channel framing;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the channel framing;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged front elevational view of the channel framing;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the channel framing;

FIG. 4 is a perspective of the channel framing of FIG. 1 with a fittingcomprising a rod hanger assembly installed on a right side of thechannel framing;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the channel framing and fitting of FIG. 4showing wings of the fitting bent to engage the channel framing;

FIG. 6 is a perspective of a coupling component of the rod hangerassembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the coupling component of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the coupling component of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the coupling component;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the coupling component;

FIG. 11 is a front view of the coupling component; and

FIG. 12 is a right elevational view of the coupling component installedon the right side of the channel framing;

FIG. 13 is an embodiment of a nut portion of a coupling component; and

FIG. 14 is another embodiment of a nut portion of a coupling component.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2-3, a channel framing is generally indicatedat reference numeral 10. Suitable channel framing 10 according to theteachings of the present disclosure may be constructed for use in manydifferent fields, industries, and applications, including, but notlimited to, safety grating industry, spring steel fastener industry,cable trays and ladders, pipe hangers, solar industry, racks andrunways, electrical enclosures, seismic industry, and rooftop supports.

The channel framing 10 has an elongate body, generally designated 11,with a generally square or rectangular cross-sectional shape having foursides and a longitudinal axis A extending along a length L1 (FIG. 3) ofthe body. As illustrated, the body 11 has an upper side 12, a lower side14, a right side 16, and a left side 18 (each indicated generally),although the respective relative locations of the respective sides willdepend on the orientation of the channel framing in use. A height H1 ofthe framing 10 extends between the upper and lower sides 12, 14. Theupper side 12 (or slotted side) defines a continuous slot 19 (i.e., theupper side is open) having a width W1 (FIG. 2A). The upper side 12 hasoutside surfaces 13 on either side of the slot 19, and inwardly (ordownwardly) depending lips 20 leading to an open interior 22 of thechannel framing 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the lower, right and left sides14, 16, 18, respectively, defines a fitting groove 26 having a length L2(FIG. 3) extending lengthwise of the body 11 (e.g., along the entirelength L1 of the body), and a depth D1 (FIG. 2A) extending generallytoward the longitudinal axis A of the body. In the illustratedembodiment, the fitting grooves 26 have substantially identicalcross-sectional shapes and dimensions. In another embodiment, at leastthe side (e.g., lower side 14) opposite the slotted side (e.g., upperside 12) defines a fitting groove 26, while the other two sides (e.g.,right and left side 16, 18) may or may not define fitting grooves. Anexample of such a channel framing is generally indicated at 10′ in FIG.1A. In the illustrated example shown in FIG. 1A, the upper or slottedside 12′ is the same as upper side 12 of the channel framing 10 in FIG.1, and the lower side 14′ and the fitting groove 26′ are the same as therespective lower side 14 and the fitting groove 26 of the channelframing in FIG. 1. In addition to the right and left side 16′, 18′ beingfree from grooves, the other difference between the channel framing 10′and the channel framing 10 are the heightwise dimensions between theupper and lower sides 12, 14 and 12′, 14′. In the present channelframing 10′, the height H2 is less than the width W, and in particular,the height may be 50% less than the width (e.g., the height may be 25 mmand the width may be 50 mm). The channel framing 10′ may have otherdimensions.

Referring back to channel framing 10, as indicated in FIG. 2, eachfitting groove 26 is defined by opposing side walls 28 extendinginwardly from generally planar outer surfaces 32 of the correspondingside 14, 16, 18 and toward the interior 22 of the body 11. The sidewalls 28 extend to a bottom wall 30 that spans between and interconnectsthe side walls. The side walls 28 flare away from one another as theyextend inward from the outer surfaces 32 toward the bottom 30 of thefitting groove 26 so that each fitting groove has a generally dove-tailcross-sectional shape. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2A each fittinggroove 26 has a first relatively narrower width W2 (e.g., a minimumwidth) at its entrance and a second relatively wider width W3 (e.g., amaximum width) adjacent the bottom wall 30. As will be explained ingreater detail below, the fitting grooves 26 are configured forreceiving at least a portion of a coupling component of a fitting foruse in attaching or securing the fitting to any one of the sides 14, 16,18 of the strut channel 10. The coupling component is configured togenerally “lock” (such as twist lock) in the fitting groove to inhibitwithdrawal of the fitting from the groove.

In the illustrated embodiment, openings 34 extend through each of thebottom walls 30 of the fitting grooves 26. The openings 34 may beconfigured for attaching the channel framing 10 to a structure (e.g., aceiling). The openings 34 may be, for example, knockouts, or punched, orhalf-slots, or slots, as are generally known in the art. Typically, theopenings 34 in the channel framing 10 will be the same type of opening,although the same channel framing may include a mix of different typesof openings, such as shown in the illustrated embodiments.

The channel framing 10 may be formed from rigid metal, such as lowcarbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, or other metals, or from othermaterial, such as fiberglass or plastic. The channel framing 10 may becold formed using a rolling mill, such as when forming the channelframing from steel, or the channel framing may be extruded from anextrusion die, such as when forming the channel framing from aluminum.The channel framing 10 may be formed in other ways. The channel framing10 may have a thickness from about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm. In onenon-limiting example, the channel framing 10 may be formed from 18 gauge(1.2 mm) steel sheet metal, or from 20 gauge (0.9 mm) steel sheet metal.In another non-limiting embodiment, the dimension of each of the widthand height of the channel framing 10 may be 53.5 mm, as opposed to 50mm.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a fitting for use with the channel framing10 (or 10′) is generally indicated at reference numeral 58. Theillustrated fitting 58 is generally in the form of rod hanger assembly,indicated by the same reference numeral 58, which may be used forhanging the channel framing 10 on a ceiling or other elevated structure.The illustrated rod hanger assembly 58 comprises a coupling component,generally indicated at 60, and a threaded rod 63 secured to the couplingcomponent and extending outward therefrom. In the illustratedembodiment, the rod 63 is threadably attached to the coupling component60, as explained below. The rod 63 may be attached to the couplingcomponent 60 in other ways, such as by welding. Moreover, theillustrated coupling component 60 may be configured for attachment toother components, including but not limited to, a bolt or a threadedstud for attaching another component (e.g., a bracket) to the channelframing 10.

The illustrated coupling component 60 may be generally referred to as anut or a fitting-groove nut. As can be seen in FIGS. 6-11, the couplingcomponent 60 comprises a nut portion, generally indicated at 62A(broadly, “a base”), and a spring portion, generally indicated at 62B(broadly, “a washer”). The nut portion 62A has a length L3 (FIG. 9), alongitudinal axis LA1, a height H3 (FIG. 10), and a width W4 (FIG. 8).The nut portion 62A includes an inside (lower) face 64, an outside(upper) face 66 (FIG. 7), opposite sides 68, and opposite ends 70. Thespring portion 62B is generally disposed on the outside face 66 of thenut portion 62A. The spring portion 62B has a length L4 (FIG. 9), alongitudinal axis LA2, a height H4 (FIG. 10), and a width W5 (FIG. 8).The spring portion 62B includes an inside (lower) face 67 and an outside(upper) face 69 (FIG. 10). At least a portion of the inside face 67 ofthe spring portion 62B engages the outside face 66 of the nut portion62A. While the length L3 of the nut portion 62A of the couplingcomponent 60 is greater than the first or minimum widths W2 of thefitting grooves 26 at the outer surfaces 32 of the respective sides 14,16, 18, the width W4 of the nut portion 62A of the coupling component isless than the first widths W2 of the fitting grooves so that thecoupling component may be inserted in and installed on any of thefitting grooves in a manner to be hereinafter described. Further, theheight H3 of the nut portion 62A is substantially the same as the depthD1 of the fitting grooves 26 so that the inside face 67 of the springportion 62B is disposed generally at or above outer surfaces 32 of thesides 14, 16, 18 and adapted to engage the outside surfaces of arespective side of the channel framing 10 at opposite sides of thecorresponding fitting groove 26. As will be explained in greater detailbelow, the nut portion 62A and spring portion 62B form a clamp tofurther secure the coupling component of the rod hanger assembly 58 tothe channel framing 10.

Diagonally opposite first and second corners 74 of the nut portion 62Aat opposite ends 70 of the coupling component 60 are rounded forfacilitating such installation (see FIGS. 4 and 12). Conversely,diagonally opposite third and fourth corners 76 of the nut portion 62Aare preferably substantially squared off (i.e., not rounded) tofacilitate locking of the coupling component 60 in the fitting groove 26and to inhibit over rotation of the coupling component in the fittinggroove 26. Further, the opposite ends 70 and the first and secondcorners 74 of the nut portion 62A of the coupling component 60 arebeveled or chamfered outwardly from the outside face 66 toward theinside face 64, generally matching the angle of the opposing walls 28 ofthe fitting grooves 26. The beveled, rounded corners 74 facilitateturning the coupling component 60 to a crosswise position relative tothe fitting groove 26 so the longitudinal axis LA1 of the couplingcomponent is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thechannel framing 10, while the beveled opposite ends 70 have a shapecorresponding generally to the shape of the space between the side walls28 and the bottom wall 30 of the fitting groves 26, as will be describedin more detail later. The nut portion 62A of the coupling component 60has a central threaded opening 71 extending completely through thecomponent from its inside face 64 to its outside face 66, thus making ita “nut,” as disclosed above.

As installed, the beveled opposite ends 70 may engage the respectivewalls 28 of the fitting groove 26. In one embodiment, the beveledopposite ends 70 include a friction-enhancing portion 72 configured toenhance the friction between the ends and the respective walls 28,thereby inhibiting movement of the nut portion 62A longitudinally in thegroove 26. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6-12, for example, thefriction-enhancing portion 72 is knurled (i.e., including a plurality ofknurls). In another embodiment (FIG. 13), a friction-enhancing portion72′ of a nut portion 62A′ may include a dimpled portion (i.e., aplurality of dimples or indentations) on opposite ends 70′ thereof. Inyet another embodiment (FIG. 14), a friction-enhancing portion 72″ of anut portion 62A″ may include a toothed portion (i.e., including aplurality of elongate teeth) on opposite ends 70″ thereof. Thefriction-enhancing portion may be of other configurations for enhancingfriction between the nut portion and the walls of the groove. Forexample, a friction-enhancing material may be applied to the oppositeends.

The spring portion 62B comprises an annular section 80, legs 82extending generally downward from the annular section, and wings 84extending radially outward from the annular section. Each leg 82comprises a first section 86 extending laterally from the annularsection 80 and a second section 88 extending downward from the firstsection. In the illustrated embodiment, the second section 88 extendsdownward from the first section 86 at about a 90 degree angle. However,other angles are envisioned. The second section 88 of each leg 82 isfirmly fixed (e.g., by staking, adhesive, welding, brazing or othermeans) in one of a pair of grooves 100 (see FIGS. 6 and 10) in the sides68 of the nut portion 62A. Other configurations are possible.

The length L4 (FIG. 9) of the spring portion 62B is greater than thefirst or minimum widths W2 of the fitting grooves 26 of the channelframing 10 so that the spring portion can span the fitting groove withportions of the inside face 67 of the spring portion being disposedabove and/or contacting the outside surfaces 32 of the correspondingside 14, 16, 18 of the channel framing. The spring portion 62B has anunthreaded (clearance) opening 90 through it generally aligned with thethreaded opening 71 in the nut portion 62A.

As shown in FIG. 10, each wing 84 of the spring portion 62B comprises afirst section 92 extending radially away from the annular section 80, asecond section 94 extending upward and radially away from the firstsection, and a third section 96 extending radially away from the secondsection. In the illustrated embodiment, the second section 94 extendsupward at about a 45 degree angle, although the second section 94 mayextend upward at other angles. In the illustrated embodiment, the thirdsection 96 extends substantially parallel to the first section 92,although the third section could extend transverse to the first section.For instance, the third section 96 could be bent downward as shown inFIG. 5. The angle of the second section 94 may provide an engagementsurface for engaging a bend 73 between the flared side wall 28 andoutside surface 32 of the channel framing 10 as will be explained ingreater detail below. The angle may also account for any uncontrolledtolerances in the construction of the channel framing 10. The wings 84of the spring portion 62B are resiliently deflectable out of plane uponrotating the coupling component 60 within the fitting groove 26, asexplained below. The wings 84 provide a biasing or spring force forclamping the coupling component 60 against respective outside faces 32of the corresponding side 14, 16, 18 and the side walls 28 of thecorresponding fitting groove 26 to hold the coupling component in thedesired or selected position on the framing 10 until an object (e.g.,threaded rod 63 or other component) is secured to the assembly.

The nut portion 62A of the coupling component 60 may be formed frommetal, such as a zinc-coated, heat treated, AISI 1018 steel having aRockwell hardness of 30-50 C and more preferably 40-45 C. The springportion 62B of the coupling component 60 may be formed from springsteel. Other materials may be used.

Referring to FIG. 12, to install the coupling component 60 on thechannel framing 10, the coupling component 60 is aligned with andinserted into the fitting groove 26 from the outside to the insidethereof until the inside face 64 of the nut portion 62A of the couplingcomponent generally bottoms out in the groove. Once the nut portion 62Aof the coupling component 60 is at the bottom 30 of the fitting groove26, the coupling component is then turned (rotated) in a first direction(e.g., clockwise as viewed in FIG. 12), suitably using the springportion 62B as a handle, to bring the rounded, beveled corners 74 of thenut portion of the coupling component into contact with the flared sidewalls 28 of the fitting groove 26. Applying a further rotational forceon the coupling component 60 may engage the spring portion 62B with thebend 73 between the flared side wall 28 and outside surface 32 causingthe second sections 94 of the wings to ride up the bend and the flaredside walls 28 to ride up respective beveled, rounded corners 74 (e.g.,ramps) of the nut portion 62A, thereby deflecting the wings 84 away fromthe outside surface 32. This initial deflection is generally at or belowthe elasticity of the wings 84, and in particular the first section 92of the wings, so that the wings apply a counterforce toward the outsidesurface 32. Rotation of the coupling component 60 is continued in thesame direction through about 90 degrees (e.g., about a quarter turn)until the coupling component extends crosswise relative to the fittinggroove 26 and the beveled ends 70 are in abutting relation with theopposing side walls 28 defining the fitting groove. In this position,the inside face 64 of the nut portion 62A is generally at the bottom 30of the fitting groove, and the third sections 96 of the wings 84 opposethe outside surface 32 of the channel framing 10. The beveled, roundedcorners 74 of the nut portion 62A facilitate rotation of the couplingcomponent to this crosswise position, with further rotation beingprevented by the unreduced (squared off) corners 76 which assist inholding the coupling component against further turning. After thecoupling component 60 has been turned to this crosswise position, thespring portion 62B is released by the user.

The wings 84 of the spring portion 62B can be manually adjusted bydeflecting the wings toward and away from the outside surface 32 of theside 14, 16, 18 of the channel framing 10 (FIG. 5). The deflection ofthe wings 84 adjusts a clamp force exerted by the spring portion 62B andnut portion 62A of the coupling component 60 toward one another to bringthe beveled sides 70 of the coupling component into clamping engagementwith the flared side walls 28 of the fitting groove 26 and portions ofthe inside face 67 of the spring portion into clamping engagement withthe outside surfaces 32 of the corresponding side 14, 16, 18. Thismanual adjustment is generally beyond the elasticity of the wings 84,and in particular the first section 92 of the wings, so that the wingswill remain in the deflected position to maintain the desired clampforce. In one embodiment, between about 1 and about 2½ lbs of forcedeflection will plastically deform the wings 84. In another embodiment,about 3 lbs. of force deflection will plastically deform the wings 84.The coupling component 60 may be quickly and easily removed from theframing 10 (as for reuse) by simply reversing the steps as set outabove.

In addition, in at least some embodiments one or more sides of thechannel framing, in addition to the slotted side having the continuousslot opening (e.g., side 12), can be used to connect components (e.g.,hanger rods, pipes, etc.) to the channel framing. In one particularapplication, the side opposite the slotted side (e.g., side 14) can beused to connect desired components to the channel framing. Moreover, theside 12 of the channel framing 10 having the slot 19 can have the sameconfiguration as the slotted sides of conventional channel framings tomake the systems described herein compatible with existing channel nuts,pipe clamps, miscellaneous fitting, etc.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferredembodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” areintended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms“comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products,and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description and shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of securing a fitting to a channelframing including an outer surface and a fitting groove formed in theouter surface, the method comprising; inserting a base of the fittinginto the fitting groove along a longitudinal axis of the fitting, thefitting further comprising a spring member secured to the base andincluding an annular portion and wings extending from the annularportion; rotating, by applying a force to at least one of the wings ofthe of the spring member, the fitting in the fitting groove to disposeends of the base generally at sides of the fitting groove and to disposeat least a portion of the spring member of the fitting above the outersurface of the fitting groove to clamp the fitting in the fittinggroove; and engaging the wings of the spring member with the outersurface of the channel framing after the fitting has been rotated in thefitting groove.
 2. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein saidrotating the fitting comprises rotating the fitting about 90 degrees. 3.The method set forth in claim 1 further comprising manually deflectingat least one of the wings to selectively engage said at least one of thewings with the outer surface of the channel framing.
 4. The method setforth in claim 1, wherein the base has a generally dovetailcross-sectional shape.
 5. The method set forth in claim 1, wherein thewings apply a resilient force to the outer surface of the channelframing.
 6. The method set forth in claim 1, further comprising securinga component to the fitting after said engaging the wings of the springmember with the outer surface of the channel framing.